EP3170517B1 - Sensor device and system comprising a sensor device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a sensor device and a system including the sensor device, and relates in particular to a central device for external single and multiple sensor applications for measuring at least one measured variable, and a system that supplies a means to be measured and contains the device.

In the field of dialysis, for example, sensors are primarily used to monitor a wide variety of measurement parameters and the degree of purification of the blood is determined, for example, with the aid of extinction measurements in used dialysis fluid (DF), a chemical image of the purified blood. The extinction measurements are carried out by means of and / or using an optical UV transmission sensor. In known arrangements, the sensor is an integral part of the dialysis machine, so that each dialysis machine on which a desired size or a corresponding measured value is to be output has to be equipped with one or more such sensor (s) in a development and cost-intensive manner.

US 3 802 562 A discloses a device for distributing a dialysis solution in a device and is intended to supply a group of dialyzers while at the same time the changes in the transparency of the used dialysis solution are monitored externally.

WO 2004/057323 A1 relates to a method and a device for checking the responsiveness of an electronic sensor for gaseous and / or liquid media.

A dialysis center can use several such dialysis machines simultaneously or at different times. Often, used dialysis fluid is discarded over a shared management. Nevertheless, the corresponding sensors must be kept available several times in the several dialysis machines.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device and a system which is capable of measuring in used dialysis fluid without having to provide a large number of corresponding and / or similar sensors in several dialysis machines.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a device for measuring at least one measured variable with the features of claim 1, and by a system with a centralized device for external single and multiple sensor devices with the features of claim 11.

The invention is based on the general idea of removing sensors measuring used dialysis fluid from the dialysis machine in such a way that a centralized sensor device can be used for several dialysis machines simultaneously or in a time-adjusted manner. For this purpose, according to the invention, the use of the sensor system is reorganized in such a way that used dialysis fluid is passed through an external device which only contains one copy of a sensor. This drastically reduces the number of sensors used. In order to be able to operate a number of dialysis machines, the device can additionally contain a module which, by suitable diversion or switching of flow paths of rivers, i.e. Flow of agents output by a dialysis machine (predominantly fluids or liquids such as, for example, used dialysis liquid of a desired dialysis machine, but without being restricted to this) can be diverted by the sensor or sensors in the external device. This is possible in particular because known sensors in a dialysis machine only record values every 3 to 5 minutes anyway. In the meantime, values can be recorded for other machines without, for example, accepting a reduction in resolution.

Instead of concentrating on producing numerous sensors for installation in a dialysis machine, it is thereby advantageously possible to reduce the number of sensors required system-wide and to save costs with an external centralized sensor device. In addition, it will be possible to use additional sensors for measuring quantitative quantities such as creatinine and uric acid.

Furthermore, some sensors require an additional device for the addition of appropriate reagents. In known arrangements, such additional devices take up space in a dialysis machine and, moreover, must also meet high regulatory requirements. It is according to the invention on the other hand, it is possible to accommodate all the sensors in the dialysis fluid outflow in the centralized device. In this case, they are subject to significantly lower regulatory requirements as an in vitro diagnostic medical device. To this extent, the device according to the invention creates space for elements and components that actually have to be present individually in a dialysis machine. Further advantages result from the fact that low-cost machines and / or third-party machines, which usually do not have their own and / or compatible sensors in the outflow of the dialysis machine, can also be connected to the device and operated in a system network. Existing infrastructure, such as data management systems, can also be used to transmit or transmit measured values to a dialysis machine and / or corresponding databases.

In detail, the above advantages are realized and the object is achieved by a device for measuring at least one measured variable.

The at least one sensor is preferably arranged to detect the at least one measurement variable with respect to the medium flow along a fluid path or an air path.

The sensor device preferably forms a sensor device centralized for a large number of dialysis machines, which is connected to at least one outlet and / or outlet of a dialysis machine via a fluid path or an air path. The at least one sensor is preferably arranged to detect a clearance and / or a concentration of an analyte in the medium flow as the at least one measurement variable.

Upstream of the sensor device is a fluidic device which provides a flow control and is connected to the sensor device in a through-flow manner, the fluidic device being arranged to selectively selectable at least one of a plurality of medium flows which are output by the plurality of medium flows of dialysis machines, to be fed to the at least one sensor device and / or the sensor device is arranged to selectively selectively detect at least one of a large number of measurement variables of a selected dialysis machine, the mean flow of which is fed to the sensor device.

The fluidic device is arranged to feed medium flows from the plurality of dialysis machines in a time-controlled manner and in a predetermined change to the sensor device and / or to feed a currently selected medium flow from a currently selected dialysis machine for a predetermined period of time to the sensor device.

The predetermined time period can be adapted or adapted to detection times of a sensor system in the currently selected dialysis machine and a plurality of predetermined time periods can be adapted or adapted to detection times of a sensor system of each of the plurality of connected or connectable dialysis machines, which are provided alternately in the manner of a time division multiplex. Preferably, among a plurality of predetermined time periods, at least one predetermined time period of a fixed or adjustable duration is provided for a sensorless dialysis machine.

A selection of a dialysis machine can preferably be forced by a user at any time and can only be canceled by the user.

At least one multi-way valve is preferably provided and arranged to be connectable on the input side to a plurality of medium-flow dialysis machines, and to be connected to the sensor device on the output side. and to feed a medium flow of the plurality of medium flow dialysis machines to the sensor device. Instead of the at least one multi-way valve, a clever combination of simple shut-off valves can also be provided, with which the device according to the invention is implemented.

An interface to a data management and / or communication device is preferably provided for the transmission and / or further processing of measured data and / or measured variables into an assigned dialysis machine and / or database.

An addition device is preferably provided on the sensor device and arranged to add a reagent required by the sensor.

A system with a centralized device for external single and multiple sensor devices includes a centrally arranged device for measuring at least one measured variable according to one of claims 1 to 10; and at least one dialysis machine which outputs the dialysis fluid flow as a medium flow at at least one outlet, wherein if a plurality of medium flow dialysis machines are connected to the device for measuring at least one measured variable, one of the dialysis machines can be selectively selected and connected to the device for a predetermined period of time is.

The system preferably includes a data management and / or communication device which is arranged to receive sensed information, data and / or measured values from the device for measuring at least one measured variable.

The data management and / or communication device is preferably arranged to transmit information, data and / or measured values received by the device for measuring at least one measured variable to a predetermined dialysis machine which emits a medium flow and / or to store it in a database.

The data management and / or communication device is preferably arranged to be output by a dialysis machine that emits a medium flow Transfer control and / or regulation instructions to the device for measuring at least one measured variable.

The system preferably includes a display device for displaying information, data and / or measured values sensed by the device for measuring at least one measured variable and / or information or instructions issued by a dialysis machine emitting a medium flow with reference to system-related control and / or regulation functions.

• Fig. 1 in schematischer Darstellung ein System zur zeitlich angepassten Vermessung verschiedener Größen in verbrauchter Dialysierflüssigkeit über systematische Verbindungen der Flüssigkeitsausgänge von Dialysemaschinen mit einer zentralisierten Sensorvorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• Fig. 2 eine schematische Darstellung einer Fluidik, welche dazu angeordnet ist, Flüsse aus verschiedenen Dialysemaschinen zu steuern und zu verwalten und die in dem Ausführungsbeispiel nach Fig. 1 verwendbar ist; und
• Fig. 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer Modifikation der Fluidik nach Fig. 2, welche dazu angeordnet ist, Flüsse aus verschiedenen Dialysemaschinen zu steuern und zu verwalten und die in dem Ausführungsbeispiel nach Fig. 1 verwendbar ist.

The invention is described below with reference to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a system for time-adapted measurement of different sizes in used dialysis fluid via systematic connections of the fluid outlets of dialysis machines with a centralized sensor device according to an embodiment;
• Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a fluidic system, which is arranged to control and manage flows from different dialysis machines and according to the embodiment Fig. 1 is usable; and
• Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a modification of the fluidics Fig. 2 which is arranged to control and manage flows from different dialysis machines and which in the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 1 is usable.

In the following description of the figures, the same or equivalent elements and components in the individual figures are designated with the same reference numerals and are advantageously not described redundantly. In cases in which a subsequent exemplary embodiment corresponds functionally to at least one preceding one, that is to say corresponding functions, arrangements and / or operating sequences are equally included, only differences are expediently dealt with.

According to the following exemplary embodiments, a device and a system including the device for measuring various variables (conductivity, temperature, pH, Kt / V, concentrations of analytes such as creatinine or creatinine, uric acid and the like, and of electrolytes such as sodium and the like) are general ) connected to the dialysis machine by means of a centralized sensor device via the liquid outlet or an air gap. Various measurement parameters of selected machines can be recorded by suitable flow control. A data management and / or communication application enables the transfer or transfer of measured information, data and / or values into the dialysis machine (e.g. for display on a display device or, for example, as control commands) and / or into a database.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a system for the time-adapted measurement of different sizes in used dialysis fluid via systematic connections of the fluid outlets of dialysis machines with a centralized sensor device (stand-alone sensor). An additional connection to a network for data communication between a sensor, a server, databases and at least one dialysis machine is also indicated in broken lines. In this way, values collected by the sensor device can be passed on for further processing and, for example, on a screen of the dialysis machine for display.

Specifically, in Fig. 1 three dialysis machines 6, each with an input and / or display device 6a, for example a screen, a keyboard and the like, each have an outlet 4 for dialysis fluid. In Fig. 1 For reasons of clarity of illustration, only one such outlet is designated by reference number 4. There is also no restriction to the number of 3 dialysis machines. Depending on the design, almost any number of dialysis machines can be integrated into the system according to the exemplary embodiment. The individual outlets 4 of each of the dialysis machines 6 are fed separately to inlets of a fluidic device 2, which forms a device for intelligent fluid management. The fluidic device 2 internally has at least one multi-way valve, which is still to be described, and which is arranged for fluid paths or fluid lines controlled to open and close in such a way that the fluidic device 2 in each case passes through at least one selected, ie selected, fluid or liquid stream, which forms a stream of an agent dispensed by a dialysis machine, and blocks non-selected, ie unselected, fluid streams from other dialysis machines . The fluid flow passed through is output at an outlet of the fluidic device 2 and fed to a sensor device 1 for measurement there.

Fig. 1 thus shows a system of, for example, three dialysis machines 6 (however, almost any number of dialysis machines can be connected and there is no restriction with regard to the number of dialysis machines), each of which has its (dialysis) liquid outlet 4 with the sensor device 1 (the stand-alone Sensor) are connected. The selection of one of the dialysis machines 6 to be measured can be made by suitably designing a flow control, ie fluidic device 2, upstream or upstream of the sensor device 1 with intelligent fluid management. It is noted that the fluidic device 2 can optionally be designed, ie a connection and / or disconnection of fluid flows, for example by means of suitable valve devices and the like, can also take place directly on the dialysis machine 6, or the fluidic device 2 can be embodied integrated in the sensor device 1.

The sensor device 1 can also accommodate one or more different sensors (not shown) as well as the necessary mechanics and electronics, such as pumps, controls, computing units and the like, which are known per se. Information can also be sent to the dialysis machine by means of a communication and / or data management or data management device 20 or a corresponding application. Such information can be, for example, a detected concentration value or a clearance or Kt / V value. However, it is also possible to send or transmit control commands, for example in order to control a blood flow and thereby enable other methods, for example also to determine concentrations on the blood side.

Recorded values are available to the dialysis machine 6 and can either be output for display on the screen 6a and / or written to a database (not shown). In this case, the data obtained in this way also permit an evaluation over a longer period of time.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a fluidic system which is arranged to control and manage flows from different dialysis machines 6 and which in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG Fig. 1 is usable.

The details are in Fig. 2 Two dialysis machines 6 are shown, each with an associated operating and / or display device 6a, each with a dialysis fluid outlet 4. Each dialysis fluid flow output by the dialysis machines 6 at their dialysis fluid outlets 4 as a medium flow is fed to a corresponding inlet of the fluidic device 2. In the fluidic device 2, at least one multi-way or multi-way valve 3 is provided, which is arranged to be controlled in a predetermined manner and to conduct or block each individual dialysis fluid flow separately for fixed or adaptable periods of time.

For example, according to Fig. 2 selectively the dialysis fluid dispensed by the upper dialysis machine 6 is passed to the sensor device 1, while the dialysis fluid dispensed by the lower dialysis machine 6 is blocked at the multi-way valve 3 and thus is not passed to the sensor device 1. Dialysis fluid flows which are not passed through to the sensor device 1 can then be discharged from the fluidic device 2 via, for example, discard lines 5 which lead to the multi-way valve 3, in order to ensure that the dialysis fluid is also discharged from an unselected dialysis machine 6.

In this case, time periods are preferably defined or selected in accordance with a time course of value acquisitions on a respective dialysis machine 6 in accordance with a therapy course taking place there. In other words, dialysis fluid is passed through to a specific dialysis machine 6 Measurement in the sensor device 1 preferably during periods or times during which a recording or recording of values is to take place on the particular dialysis machine 6 (for example approximately every 3 to 5 minutes). At other times, dialysis fluid from another dialysis machine 6 can be measured. For this purpose, for example, a plurality of dialysis machines 6 can be operated or treated in such a way that they each record the required values with a suitable time offset.

It goes without saying that components and / or system parts can also be designed or provided multiple times. If, for example, within the framework of existing cycle times, a number of already connected dialysis machines 6 no longer allow the connection of further dialysis machines 6, a second fluidic device 2 and / or a second sensor device 1 can be arranged to measure medium flows from the further dialysis machines 6.

According to the in Fig. 2 Embodiment of a flow control or fluidics shown in simplified form can thus be connected to a plurality of dialysis machines 6 with a single sensor device 1. Although in Fig. 2 For reasons of clarity, digital connections are not shown, but it goes without saying that information can be transferred between a corresponding dialysis machine 6 and the stand-alone sensor device 1.

The core of the above-described intelligent fluid management in accordance with the fluidic device 2 is formed by at least one multi-way valve 3, which according to the exemplary embodiment is shown in a variant with two ways. The outlet or outlet 4 for dialysis fluid of a dialysis machine 6 is connected via the fluidic device 2 to the at least one multi-way valve 3. This enables you to control the flows in the machine. A digital interface (not shown) can now be used to decide for which machine the dialysis fluid is to be examined. The remaining paths are thrown into the outflow. The measured values can then be transmitted to the corresponding machine for display and / or further processing.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a modification of the fluidics according to Fig. 2 which is arranged to control and manage flows from different dialysis machines and which in the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 1 is usable. According to Fig. 3 the at least one multi-way valve 3 is arranged directly at the outlet 4 of the dialysis machine 6. In this way it is further advantageous to design a strand guide more flexibly while maintaining the measuring principle described above.

According to the invention, savings in costs for the construction of many sensors are advantageously achieved, the use of several sensors for the collection or detection of various variables such as Kt / V, creatinine, uric acid, but also for enzymatic tests is possible, lower regulatory requirements due to a possible classification As an in-vitro diagnostic device, dialysis machines that do not have their own sensors also benefit from the advantages of the sensors described.

A device for measuring at least one measured variable and a system which contains the device for external single and multiple sensor devices in a centralized manner have thus been described above. The device includes a sensor device with at least one sensor, which can be connected via at least one middle-leading detection path to at least one dialysis machine which emits a medium flow from a plurality of at least one dialysis fluid flow, the at least one sensor being arranged to selectively at least one measurement variable with respect to at least one of one of the large number of dialysis machines output medium flow. The system also includes at least one dialysis machine which outputs the dialysis fluid flow as a medium flow at at least one outlet, and if a plurality of medium flow dialysis machines are connected to the device for measuring at least one measured variable, one of the dialysis machines can be selected selectively and for a predetermined period of time is connectable to the device.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described, in particular not to the dialysis machine and the dialysis liquid and the numerical values and orders of magnitude specified in their context, but rather within the scope of protection defined by the claims below the person skilled in the art can nevertheless make obvious modifications and equivalents.

Claims (15)

1. Device for measuring at least one measurand, comprising:

   a sensor device (1) which comprises at least one sensor and, via at least one medium-carrying detection path, can be connected to one of a plurality of dialysis machines (6) which each output a dialysis liquid flow as a medium flow, the at least one sensor being arranged to selectively detect at least one measurand with respect to the medium flow output by said one dialysis machine (6); and

   a fluidic unit (2) which is arranged upstream of the sensor device (1), can be connected to the plurality of dialysis machines (6) via a plurality of paths carrying medium flows and is connected to the sensor device (1) so as to pass on exactly one medium flow to the sensor device (1), wherein

   the fluidic unit (2) is arranged to provide a flow control for dialysis liquid flows, namely by selectively choosing one of the plurality of medium flows output by the plurality of dialysis machines (6) via the plurality of paths carrying medium flows and by supplying the one selected medium flow to the at least one sensor of the sensor device (1), and

   the fluidic unit (2) is arranged to supply the sensor device (1) with medium flows from the plurality of dialysis machine (6) in a timely controlled manner and in a predetermined switching scheme, and/or to supply the sensor device (1) with a currently selected medium flow from a currently selected dialysis machine (6) for a predetermined period of time, characterized in that

   the predetermined period of time can be adapted or is adapted to detection times of a sensor system in the currently selected dialysis machine (6), and a plurality of predetermined periods of time are provided to be adaptable or to be adapted to detection times of a sensor system of each of the plurality of connected or connectable dialysis machines (6) and are made available alternately in the manner of a time multiplex.
2. Device according to claim 1, in which the at least one sensor is arranged to detect the at least one measurand with respect to the medium flow along a fluid path or an air path.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the sensor device (1) constitutes a sensor device (1) which is centralized for a plurality of dialysis machines (6) and is connected to at least one output (4) and/or outlet of the dialysis machine (6) via a liquid path.
4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the at least one sensor is arranged to detect a clearance and/or a concentration of an analyte in the medium flow as the at least one measurand.
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sensor device (1) is arranged to detect, in a selectively selectable manner, at least one of a plurality of measurands of a selected dialysis machine (6) whose medium flow is fed to the sensor device (1).
6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which among a plurality of predetermined periods of time at least one predetermined period of time having a fixed or adjustable duration is provided for a sensor-less dialysis machine (6).
7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which a selection of a dialysis machine (6) can be enforced at any points in time by a user and can only be canceled by the latter.
8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one multi-port valve (3) or a combination of simple shut-off valves is provided and is arranged to be connectable at the input side with a plurality of dialysis machines (6) outputting medium flows, to be connected to the sensor device (1) at the output side, and to supply the sensor device (1) with one medium flow each from the plurality of dialysis machines (6) outputting medium flows.
9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which an interface to a data management and/or communication device (20) is provided for a transmission and/or further processing of measured data and/or measurands in an associated dialysis machine (6) and/or a database.
10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which an addition device is provided on the sensor device (1) and arranged to add a reagent required by the sensor.
11. System comprising a centralized device for an external single or multiple sensor device, comprising:

    a centrally arranged device for measuring at least one measurand according to one of the preceding claims; and

    at least one dialysis machine (6) outputting the dialysis fluid flow as medium flow at at least one outlet (4), wherein

    one of the dialysis machines (6) can be selectively selected and can be connected to the device for a predetermined period of time if several dialysis machines (6) outputting a medium flow are connected to the device for measuring at least one measurand.
12. System according to claim 11, further comprising:
    a data management and/or communication device (20) arranged to receive captured information, data and/or measured values from the device for measuring at least one measurand.
13. System according to claim 12, in which the data management and/or communication device (20) is arranged to transfer information, data and/or measured values received from the device for measuring at least one measurand to a predetermined dialysis machine (6) outputting a medium flow and/or to store these in a database.
14. System according to claim 12 or 13, in which the data management and/or communication device (20) is arranged to transfer control and/or closed-loop control instructions, which are output by a dialysis machine (6) outputting a medium flow, to the device for measuring at least one measurand.
15. System according to one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising:
    a display device (6a) for displaying information, data and/or measured values captured by the device for measuring at least one measurand and/or for displaying information or instructions, relevant to system-related control and/or closed-loop control functions, output by a dialysis machine (6) outputting a medium flow.

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